COOL CATS

The Scouse popsters help out the family of Ron Gilligan, who was from Liverpool...

Atomic Kitten are to play a benefit gig for the family of a local man killed in the September 11 NEW YORK terror attack.

Ron Gilligan moved to the States with his wife Elizabeth in the 80s, where he forged a successful stockbroking career. The 43-year-old was working on the 103rd floor of the World Trade Center when it was struck by the first hijacked plane.

Now, his family are to receive a cash boost from the Liverpool-based band. Atomic Kitten are back in the city on March 3 to play a gig at the Royal Court.

But that concert will actually be their third of the day – they will play an afternoon show at Baby Blue, and an early evening show at the Pan American Club, both at the Albert Dock. Proceeds will go to Gilligan’s family.

The benefit gig was the brainchild of John Ritchie, one of the company directors of Lyceum, the group that owns both of the Albert Dock venues.

John and his wife were also caught up in the September 11 atrocity, and were just yards away when disaster struck.

John said: “I met Ron Gilligan’s family at a service at Westminster Abbey, and really wanted to do something to help. I organised an auction to raise some money for them, and then came up with this idea.”

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Band member Liz McClarnon said: “We didn’t hesitate to agree when we were asked. We were in New York at the time of the event shooting a video at Grand Central Station, but our truck, with all the lighting and floodlights and equipment, was borrowed and was the first to arrive at the scene to help with the rescue operation on the night. We were only too pleased to do this.”

Ticket details for the gigs will be released next week, and are expected to go on sale on Thursday. All children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.